The Manitoba Junior Hockey League wishes to announce that former Portage Terriers captain Junior Lessard signed a NHL contract with the Dallas Stars today, six days after winning the Hobey Baker Award as the top College player in the U.S. Lessard is a former MJHL star who scored 60 goals in his final MJHL season and went on to win the CJAHL Junior A Player of the Year that year.

“Our organization is excited that the best collegiate player in the nation chose to sign with the Dallas Stars, Stars General Manager Doug Armstrong said. “We look forward to helping him develop into a solid professional hockey player.”

After going undrafted in 2003, the 23-year-old right wing led the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to its first Frozen Four appearance since 1985. Lessard led the nation with 61 points and 30 goals, helping the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to the national semifinals, where it lost to Denver last Thursday.

Lessard was also selected as the WCHA Player of the Year and tied for second in the NCAA in power play goals with 12. Colorado’s Paul Kariya, Buffalo’s Chris Drury and Vancouver’s Brendan Morrison are among the past winners of the Hobey Baker Award.

For further information, please contact Kim Davis, Commissioner, Manitoba Junior Hockey League, 204-488-1227.